Sacrifices of the Soul, Chapter 84
by SIPort

Chad stood in the corner of Simone’s hospital room. They had her on the bed, and were taking her vitals. Simone let the doctors and nurses do their job, saying nothing. Emoting nothing. She was a cooperative patient since she was catatonic. Once they had finished with their preliminary checkup, Chad went outside to talk with the doctors, but not before telling Simone that he would be right back.

“ So, how is she?”, Chad asked.

“ Physically, she seems to be fine. We’ve sent away the blood tests, to find out if there’s anything wrong.”, Dr. Rustin replied.

“ Wrong?”

” You don’t know what happened to your sister while she was here. She could have caught…”

” Diseases.”, Chad replied sadly.

“ Yes. But, the blood and urine tests will tell us more. You can go sit with your sister. My psychiatric team will be here in about an hour, and we’ll begin those tests.”

Chad went in and sat down next to Simone, who was staring at the wall. He took her hand.

” Simone, I don’t know what happened to you, but I promise that everyone is going to do whatever they have to do to help you, Simone. I know it’s been tough, but you’re not alone, Simone. I’m here. Your big brother is here, and will always be here for you. Mama and Coach are on their way, Simone. “

Chad smiled at Simone. “ Do you know that I had to get arrested to find you? Yes, you are a lot of trouble, but that’s ok. That’s what little sister are for: to get their big brother’s mad. But, you don’t worry anymore. We will get you through all of this, and before you know it, you’ll be telling me off once again. I’d do anything to have you tell me off right now.”

Just then, Eve, followed by TC and Whitney, burst through the door.

” Simone!”, Eve cried, going to her daughter and touching her face. TC went to the other side of Simone’s bed, as Chad stepped away. Whitney stayed close to TC’s side. Simone was still unresponsive to all of them. Eve stepped away and met Chad’s eyes. They went outside of Simone’s room. As soon as they were alone, Eve hugged her son.

” Oh Baby, I’m so happy that you both are safe. You found her. You found her.”, Eve whispered.

“ I told you I would, Mama. “

Eve held Chad’s face in her hands. “ I know you did. I can’t thank you enough.”

“ Mama, she’s my sister. I’d do anything for her. It’s my job to protect her.”

Eve smiled. “ I knew you loved her…it’s just that I was so scared I’d never see her again.”

“ Well, you don’t have to worry about that anymore.”

” I, um, saw that Coach and Whitney came with you. Does that mean..”

” It means nothing. I’ve divorced TC, and he and I can barely be in the same room with one another. As for Whitney, her bitterness and tart mouth seem to go on forever, but I’m not tolerating it anymore.”

Chad looked at his mother. He could tell that something had changed. “ You laid down the law?”

” Damn right I did. I’m so sick of everyone thinking that I can be their punching bag. I’ve been punched emotionally enough. No more. I’ve made my mistakes, and I’ve paid for them. Dearly. I accept what’s happened, but I’m not lowering my head in shame anymore.”

Chad kissed his mother. “ Atta girl.”

Chad and Eve saw Simone’s doctor approach. “ Mama, this is Doctor Rustin.”

“ I’m Doctor Eve Russell, Simone’s mother.”

“ I’m Doctor Rustin. We have the results of the blood and urines tests.”

“ Just a minute.”, Eve said. She opened the door and called out for TC, who came into the hallway. “ Dr. Rustin, this is Simone’s father.”

“ Nice to meet you.”, TC replied.

” TC, Dr. Rustin was about to tell me the results of Simone’s tests.”

” Is there anything wrong with my baby girl?”, TC asked.

” Simone has Chlamydia. We’ve started her on antibiotics. “

” Chlamydia? An STD?”, TC asked.

” Yes.”, Dr. Rustin replied.

” He’s here because he’s Simone’s brother. He loves her. And, in case you forgot, HE FOUND HER!”

” He’s nothing but your bastard.”

” TC, don’t show yourself in front of this doctor.”

” I don’t give a damn who hears me!”

” I’ll be BACK to visit with MY sister, later.”, Chad replied. He gave Eve a kiss and went down the hall. When he got outside, he pulled out his cellphone. “ Mr. Keyes? It’s Chad. You know that doctor at Bellevue. I want her license. Period.” Before Keyes could say anything, Chad had hung up the phone.

Dr. Rustin looked at TC and Eve. “ I’ll leave you two for now. We’ll be beginning psychological protocols with Simone in a few hours.”

” Thank you, Dr. Rustin.”, Eve replied. Once he was gone, Eve took TC’s arm. “ You know what? Sometimes I look at you now and I wonder how the hell I was married to you for a day, let alone 20 years. You might think you can use your temper to bully me and my son, but it’s not going to wash, TC. I love my daughter. I am her MOTHER. I have every right to be here, by her side. There is NOTHING you can say or do about it. Don’t even try. And, as far as Chad is concerned, you really need to grow the fuck up. I’m so sick and tired of you thinking that you can talk down to my son because, why? He’s Julian’s? Grow up. He is my son. He is Simone’s brother. He has as much a right to a place in her life as Whitney does. Simone loves Chad. They have a relationship, and I’m not about to let you mess it up. You have issues, TC. I used to excuse you. I used to care. But, I don’t anymore. You have a responsibility to me as a co-parent of our children. From where I stand, you’ve done a piss poor job with BOTH my daughters in my absence. I’m back. I’m not going anywhere. And, I’ll be there for my daughters IF they’ll let me. I doubt Whitney will. But, I don’t need a psychiatric degree to be able to tell you that Whitney has problems. If you want to feed her anger and resentment towards me – shame on you. You’re supposed to be her FATHER. So, ACT LIKE IT! Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going inside to be with OUR daughter.”

Eve left TC out in the hallway, speechless.